Action News investigation helps lead to arrest of contractor Juan Rodriguez

PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — A common contractor is dealing with fees, accused of defrauding folks out of more than $400,000.

According to the Philadelphia District Attorney’s workplace, Juan Rodriguez victimized at least 10 people today, which includes a lady whose house was broken in a fire.

Rodriguez is now struggling with 13 counts of residence advancement fraud as properly as 11 counts of theft by deception.

The Motion News Troubleshooters have been warning you about Rodriguez due to the fact 2017, right after several folks complained that he took their money without having at any time finishing the career.

The district attorney’s business even named our report in the arrest affidavit.

“I do not want to be portrayed like I’m a negative contractor,” reported Rodriguez in February 2021.

Nydia Han instructed Rodriguez that customers she talked to stated he lied to them.

“I really don’t know who would say that,” he stated.

Erika Taylor, Maxna Germaine, Dale Schmid, Charlotte Conway and Tina Barlow are just some of the men and women who did.

“He would say he was coming. He would never clearly show up,” stated Taylor of Roxborough.

“I am angry, I am upset,” stated Schmid of South Philadelphia.

Considering that 2017, the Action News Troubleshooters have spoken to 7 people who all say Rodriguez took dollars and by no means finished their careers. Then, in a lot of circumstances, unsuccessful to give refunds.

“I was pissed! For you to get gain of me figuring out, I necessarily mean, it is really challenging out right here,” said Barlow of Southwest Philadelphia.

Now Rodriguez is struggling with felony expenses brought by the Philadelphia District Attorney’s office environment on behalf of 11 people. These costs contain household improvement fraud, deceptive organization practices, and theft.

“We believe that he had an intent to steal from these victims,” claimed Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Anthony Gil.

The affidavit mentions the Troubleshooters report.

“It was truly very useful,” mentioned Gil. “You interviewed Rodriguez and in your job interview with Rodriguez, he indicated that the majority of these scenarios, the explanation why he did not return the income or he walked off the career have been because of to difficulties with COVID.”

“Even so, when we interviewed the vast majority of these victims, we discovered out that the the vast majority of these victims had get the job done that was meant to be done prior to COVID,” stated Gil.

A further update: Dale Schmid has now been awarded a judgment in his scenario against Rodriguez.

“I am thrilled there was a coalition of us that arrived jointly,” he said.

And you may well try to remember the Troubleshooters also sparked action by the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s business office. Litigation is pending in a lawsuit it submitted versus Rodriguez following deactivating his contractor registration last 12 months.

“No, ma’am. I have not ripped any person off,” stated Rodriguez in 2021.

If you experienced or have a deal with Rodriguez, the district attorney’s business office desires to hear from you if you have an difficulty.

Employing Contractors

Better Small business Bureau

Pennsylvania Lawyer Standard Contractor Registration

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